Who knew Ear Reflexology was a thing?  I was excited to book and attend an online CPD course on Auriculotherapy this month.  I thought it would be a useful skill to learn not only for my own knowledge and understanding but also to pass on self help points for clients to work on at home.

Wow - so much information to process and learn.  I'm currently working on the ears of friends and family to assess their health and work out treatment plans.

Auricular Reflexology has evolved from Auricular Therapy, Auriculotherapy and Ear Acupuncture.  These are all forms of Acupuncture and Acupressure techniques using needles, hands, ear seeds and probes on the ear.  In the West Auriculotherapy stemmed from the medical world and licensed practitioners used to diagnose an illness which was then treated manually on the ear and with various implements; patients may also have been prescribed medication or supplements.  There are records throughout history in many Eastern countries and cultures of the ears being worked for health and well-being.

In 1982 the World Health Organisation together with the Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion Association set standard auricular points known as the International Standard Auricular Points (ISAP).  The standard Auricular map shows 60 areas, each area is subdivided into points that correspond to parts of the body.  There are 90 points listed in the ISAP.  Most of these points relate to the organs, glands and parts of the body and others are named according to traditional Chinese medicine.

During a treatment the external surface of the ear is stimulated to alleviate conditions in other parts of the body, either by hand or using a probe.  Ear seeds (non invasive) may be applied to specific points so the client can stimulate the points for self care at home.